In a thrilling sprint finish, Silvia Persico of UAE Team ADQ clinched her first victory of the season at the Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan in Plumelec, France, covering the 95.7km race in commanding style. Persico, who has been seeking a win after several near misses, managed to out-sprint France’s Victoire Berteau of Cofidis and Poland’s Marta Lach from Ceratizit WNT Pro Cycling Team.
The race unfolded with an early breakaway from Marie Morgane Le Deunff and once that was caught, we saw a strong break with multiple riders go clear. UAE Team ADQ were well represented with Gasparrini and Wlodarczyk driving the pace but when they backed off the group became catchable on the lap’s main climb by the finish line. Silvia Persico smartly bridged up to this group in the latter stages to join her teammates, at which point Wlodarczyk in particular put in a large stint to keep the group clear.
(Photo Credit: Ronan Caroff)
The final sprint involved 9 riders and when Yanina Kuskova pushed the pace up with the line in sight it was Jade Wiel who first kicked into a sprint. Silvia Persico used her wheel to get up to speed as Marta Lach felt yesterday’s race in her legs and didn’t have the same acceleration. Victoire Berteau on Persico’s wheel couldn’t come around here but did sneak past Jade Wiel to claim 2nd on the day.
Speaking after her victory, Persico expressed her gratitude towards her teammates for their crucial support, “First of all, I must thank all my teammates because both yesterday and today we raced very well. Today, there was a breakaway of eight athletes with Gasparrini and Wlodarczyk, and I was initially caught out, so I had to make my way forward on the climb to the finish and on the last lap I also moved into the leading group. Dominika and Eleonora did great work for me, and I was able to win the sprint. I must say thanks once again to all my teammates. I’m delighted with this win; I’ve been waiting for it for a long time and now we move forward like this.”
(Photo credit: Ronan Caroff)
The Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan, part of a frantic day of cycling that also included stages of the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta Femenina, saw UAE Team ADQ celebrate another success following Eleonora Gasparrini’s win in the Classique Morbihan the day before. The team’s strategy was executed perfectly, setting up Persico for the sprint after a fast-paced and tactical race.
Victoire Berteau and Marta Lach, completing the podium, were critical in the final kilometres, but neither could match Persico’s explosive finish. Lach, continuing her strong form, said, “This race has been good to me, maintaining my streak of top finishes this week.”
(Photo credit: Ronan Caroff)
2024 GP de Plumelec-Morbihan result
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